New Rochelle Public Library Presents Two Classic Films In Conjunction With Ancient Greeks/Modern Lives Project

Two classic films will be presented at the New Rochelle Public Library to complement the ANCIENT GREEKS / MODERN LIVES: Poetry—Drama – Dialogue project being conducted through a partnership of the library, the Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) at the New Rochelle High School, and the Aquila Theatre Company in March, 2012.

Jason and the Argonauts will be shown on Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater. In the 1963 film, the legendary Greek hero leads a team of intrepid adventurers in a perilous quest for the Golden Fleece. The action-packed fantasy classic featured Ray Harryhausen's amazing stop-motion special effects, and stars Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack and Gary Raymond. The 104 minute film is in color.

The 1962 movie, Electra, will be shown on Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 pm. Starring Irene Papas, Giannis Fertis and Aleka Katselli, the film is director Michael Cacoyannis' powerful adaptation of the Euripedes tragedy. It received the 1962 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, and was called "Majestic and awesome" by The New York Times. The black and white film runs 110 minutes and is in Greek with English subtitles.

Film librarian Chris Poggiali will lead an informal discussion following the films.

The ANCIENT GREEKS / MODERN LIVES: Poetry—Drama – Dialogue project is a national initiative that is bringing the classics to 100 communities around America, and is designed to inspire people to come together to read, see, and think about classical literature and how it continues to influence and invigorate American cultural life.